By Scott Pohl, WKAR
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-990689.mp3
EAST LANSING, MI –
The Michigan State University Black Student Alliance took its concerns over a series of racially-charged incidents to the MSU Board of Trustees today.
The Black Student Alliance says there have been ten reports of racial intimidation on campus since the academic year began. Alliance president Mario Lemons wants MSU to build a new multi-cultural center, replacing the current center in the basement of the Union Building.
"Most people don't even know it exists," Lemons says. "Other schools have way better multi-cultural centers than ours."
MSU President Lou Anna Simon says the move to create so-called "neighborhoods" on campus haven't produced a multi-cultural atmosphere so far.
"We had, in the neighborhood concept, had a strong multi-cultural plank, and spaces and programs that were to be launched in the neighborhood," Simon says. "That's one of the things that I think is a legitimate criticism, that the institution did not get done."
At today's Trustees meeting, several students spoke of inappropriate signs and verbal assaults on campus.